She was born July 28, 1938, to Ray and Irene (Offerdahl) Smith. She attended school in Viroqua, and then pursed her education to obtain her C.N.A. certificate. She then worked at Vernon Memorial Hospital as a physical therapist. On June 10, 1955, she married Joseph Howell. After she married Joe, she joined him driving milk truck for several years. In 1971, they moved to Missouri, where they owned three shoe stores as well as a 252 acre farm. They moved back to Wisconsin in 1982. She was very active and enjoyed, baking, gardening, canning, traveling, farming, quilting, and fishing. She was an avid bowler and participated in area bowling leagues and won many trophies. She was also known for driving in the Powder Puff Race Car circuit for Richard Fredrickson Racing. She was a 26 year member of the Viroqua Eagles Auxiliary Post No. 2707. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph “Joe” Howell; and grandson, Kyle LaVerne Howell; as well as other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua, with Pastor Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will take place in the Kickapoo United Lutheran Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Viroqua Eagles Auxiliary Post No. 2707 will also conduct service at 10:45 a.m.